Explanation: The fact of the matter is that it's been somewhat difficult to get a proper gauge on where Louis is in his development because he's been forced to play next to such an inept linemate in Jeromey Clary for his entire career (the same Jeromey Clary who had a nasty habit of ignoring his own assignment and trying to block Louis' instead). However, with his natural athleticism we feel he projects quite well into the now zone-heavy blocking scheme that will be deployed under Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and OL coach Joe D'Alessandris. Understanding that there is a chance the fit may end up not being ideal for us or Louis we have structured this contract such that Louis is compensated at the yearly average (including Y1 with his signing bonus factored in) comparable to perhaps more "proven" linemen but all with similar starting tenure. And should the fit in the scheme prove not to be ideal, Louis will be in a position to still re-enter the market in his prime to find a better fit and another crack at a sizable signing bonus. We're betting on the fit being a good one, though.

Anybody disagree?

No way I can come up with anything better than that. Reasonable contract. Minimal cap hit this year. All good.

Thoughts on what's reasonable for the contract offer for Phillips? $4mill p.a. is probably not quite gonna cut it, but I don't think he's an essential piece if he prices himself out of our budget. I'd think he's somwhere in the neighborhood of $6mil p.a.

Should we ask for a bit of a home town discount so that he can retire a Charger. I'm thinking 3 years, $16mill.

Other FAs to sign? I like Franklin for another year or two, and it seems Jammer is another priority (price depenent). Vaugn Martin will be offered something, but behind Liuget / Reyes, he's gotta be prepared to accept backup money or it's $$$ we can spend elsewhere.

The LBCJoined: 12 Jan 2008Posts: 26364Location: Where We Can't Have Nice Things

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:23 pm Post subject:

Boltstrikes wrote:

I believe we were doing Muppets but likely it has been thrown to the back burner since school is in session and I am sure the little demons are terroizing LBC.

Those are actually my students, not FFMD participants - aside from green. This is that fun part of the year where I'm having to do all my day-to-day teaching, while also grading final projects from the last semester (all that's done now, but that's what made the week before last so time consuming), and getting grades done and formally submitted.

Just got an inquiry about Ladarius Green and Darrell Stuckey. Any interest in trading them away? I like Green's potential, and Stuckey is a great backup and ST captain.

Not at all. There's zero reason to trade Green and Stuckey is too good on ST. Second year player trades are frowned upon anyways, not that we should ever considering moving Green at this point._________________

Bohlmann20 (On The 95 Cleveland Browns Staff) wrote:

Lombardi - Isn't that the guy the trophy is named after? If so, top 3 coach of all time.

Just got an inquiry about Ladarius Green and Darrell Stuckey. Any interest in trading them away? I like Green's potential, and Stuckey is a great backup and ST captain.

It wouldn't hurt to see what they are willing to give for them, sometimes you can get great value. I am of the opinion that offers on ANY player on your team should be listened to, some more than others.

The LBCJoined: 12 Jan 2008Posts: 26364Location: Where We Can't Have Nice Things

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 5:39 pm Post subject:

winitall wrote:

MrDrew wrote:

Just got an inquiry about Ladarius Green and Darrell Stuckey. Any interest in trading them away? I like Green's potential, and Stuckey is a great backup and ST captain.

It wouldn't hurt to see what they are willing to give for them, sometimes you can get great value. I am of the opinion that offers on ANY player on your team should be listened to, some more than others.

It doesn't hurt to hear, but I would be adamant that we're looking for higher PICKS (not comparable value, specifically draft picks in this draft - not future) that the players were originally selected with or we won't even entertain an offer.

Effectively teams are looking at our roster and seeing guys that they don't remember seeing the field much so they think they can get them at a sweet deal (like a late Day 3 pick), and that's simply not the case here. Barring Gates missing a great deal of injury time (and even then because of the presence of Rosario AND McMichael on the roster) Green wasn't going to see a ton of PT last season. Stuckey was damn near an ST captain last season, if he wasn't actually (and I'm just forgetting). I see no reason to piecemeal them out. It's a TE-rich draft, so I don't have a major issue with trading Green if we're getting a premium return on the investment, but I'm not about to just take straight "same pick" (or less) value for him._________________